Monday, December 1, 2008

Thank you

I would like to thank everyone for keeping my sister in their prayers. I was very amazed of how many friends and relatives showed up last night at the viewing. Some of yall know I was very emotional at the viewing and at the funeral today. I feel a quarter of my heart is lost and I do not feel complete. I know Kristy is either spreading her angel wings to fly, or riding her motorcycle. I know she is happy. I am hoping one day she will show up in my dreams to reassure me that she is in good hands and she is able to watch her children.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Kristy's Obituary

From the Richmond Times Dispatch:

Kristy Kirby Williams

WILLIAMS, Kristy Kirby, 35, of Mechanicsville, departed this life Friday November 28, 2008. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harold and Audrey Meador and Pierman L. Sr. and Lou Ellen Kirby. She is survived by her husband, Chris Williams; four children, Kenneth M. DuVall, Kristen E. DuVall, William J. "Trey" DuVall, and Eric A. DuVall; her mother, Kathryn Lavoie and husband, Allen Lavoie; father, Kenneth Ray Kirby and wife, Christine A. Kirby; two sisters, Kathryn Ellen Bullock and husband, Bryan, and Karisa Kirby. Also six nieces and nephews, and numerous friends. A special thank you to her aunt, Molly Pinner, for all of her love and care. Kristy was a Hanover County School bus driver. The family will receive friends 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, November 30, 2008 at the Mechanicsville Chapel, Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road, and where a funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, Mechanicsville, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the DuVall Children's Fund, c/o E.V.B. Bank, Old Church Office, 4241 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville, Va. 23111.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Gone from our sight

It seems that I am at a loss for words....to speak of our grief seems so very inadequate. Her Mom, KK, and her Dad, Ray are truly suffering....but the faces of her children are the images that you cannot remove from your mind. They are such brave children, and loved their Mom very much. How do you console a child when they loose their mother? Or a mother when they loose their child? Everything is inadequate!
WHY, WHY, WHY.....I know we are not supposed to ask this question, but it is so hard to accept the fact that healthy, thirty-five year old Kristy should be so stricken with such a dreadful disease. It was January 30, 2008, when we had just left Quartzsite heading for Phoenix, when KK emailed to tell us that Kristy had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I knew almost nothing about such a diagnosis, but quickly learned that she had a very high risk case of this disease. Still, I thought, many people live long lives with leukemia, and they can cure most anything these days. Wrong, wrong wrong.

She suffered more than anyone should have to, enduring the most lethal doses of chemo, trying so hard to live. She really wanted to live. She truly gave it her all, and through it all, I never once heard her issue a complaint. Her mouth and throat were completely covered with raw lesions, but she complained not at all. She was always grateful, thanking the nurses, and anyone who did anything for her, constantly. More than anything, she did not want to burden anyone. She worried about her mom, and how much she was juggling her work, and helping with the kids and keeping so many balls bouncing. And she worried about her dad, as she thought he was worrying himself too much over her, and how often he would come to sit at the hospital with her. She did not want her illness to take a toll on them. And of course, most of all, she worried about her children. She loved them so much.....as her Dad said, when they walked into the room to see her, her face would light up like a one thousand watt bulb.....they just meant so much to her. She truly wanted to live for them. But God had other plans.

The days spent with Kristy during the last month were special ones. It was a priviledge to be with her and she inspired me with her tenacity and how hard she struggled to get to the other side of her Bone Marrow Transplant. When the doctors began to indicate that her cells had not engrafted, we were very concerned about the options. She had no white blood count, and thus, was completely vulnerable to any and all infections and viruses. The docs told us it would take 30 to 45 days to get another donor and stem cells. What a precarious situation. Sure enough, around day 30 she began to show signs of serious infections. It was apparent on Monday that she was getting sicker, but still, I thought she could come through it. By Wednesday, I felt that only a huge miracle would bring her through this, and I just knew that the miracle would come. Thursday afternoon she was suffering from delusions and her blood oxygen was down to about 82. She was drifting in and out of sleepiness and was really having congestion and mucousitis issues. They increased her oxygen intake and called Dr. McCarty. It seemed that her current meds might be causing the delusional issues, so the meds were removed.
We left her around 6 PM and a sitter was ordered for her.

At 11:40 pm KK called me to say that a gentleman from MCV had called to say that Kristy had been found "unresponsive: but with a pulse" and to come on over. I threw on my jogging suit and dashed from Montpelier to Ashland to pick up KK. We hurried on up to MCV hospital, arriving around 12:30, about the same time as Ray (her Dad). They took us into the conference room to await Dr. McCarty. He came in around 1 :15 am and told us they had found Kristy unresponsive around 11:20. They tried everything to resuscitate her (paddles, drugs, everything!) and her heart would not even try to restart. She died peacefully around 12:25. They remain unsure as to what brought about the failure...possibly the fungal or infections attacked her heart, and it could not withstand it. They asked to do an autopsy so we may learn exactly what transpired.

She had been at peace all week, seeming to know that the children were being cared for and that she had gotten some things in order that she had been wanting to get straight. She knew that she was loved and cared for by her family and children, and was more at peace with things than she had been in a long time. She had let go of some of her "worrying". She never gave up and never quit fighting, but the miracle never came. God had other plans.

Endless tears are shed, and it hurts so deeply to know that she is gone, and that she had to suffer so. But there is comfort in knowing she will suffer no more, and that she knew she was loved, and had the full support of her family. She is at peace now, and still loved. But our hearts hurt so deeply, for the young woman gone from our sight, and for the four children that she loved so.

Your kindness and condolences mean so much to us.... many thanks !

(Copied from Molly's blog 11/28/08)

Friday, November 28, 2008

Services for Kristy Kirby Williams

Visitation will be Sunday 5 pm to 8 pm at Bennett's Funeral Home on Lee-Davis Road in Mechanicsville, VA
Her funeral will be Monday, December 1st, at 2 pm at Bennett's, with burial at Gethsemane Christian Church

We will post soon with some updates.
Many thanks for your kindness and concerns.

NOT a bump in the road....

It seems that it wasn't just a bump in the road....we lost our sweet Kristy girl last night around midnight. She isn't suffering anymore.
Many thanks for all of your kindnesses....we are all so grateful.


(Written by Aunt Molly)

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

A little bump in the road....

The last couple of days brought a little bump in the road for Kristy. She developed some infections on Saturday and by Sunday she was pretty sick. Monday they did some testing (what day do they NOT do testing?! thankfully! :)) and found that she had a Lung infection (pneumonia), a blood infection and a UTI; they had already stepped up the antibiotics so they were on top of it.

Tonight they called and said they were moving her into ICU due to the infections and some blood found in her lungs. KK said she seemed to be doing better already, so it seems they are taking good care of her.

She is awaiting another transplant as soon as they can get the donor cells, so please keep praying for those cells to come, and for the infections to dissipate and her WBC to go UP. She is still a trooper and just keeps going everyday.

Thursday is Thanksgiving Day and we have so much to be grateful for. I am reminded of this every day.
We wish everyone a thankful and plentiful holiday.

(Written by Aunt Molly)

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Kristy's kids go to Catonsville

Kristy's two middle children, Kristen and Trey went with Aunt Molly to visit Tiffany and Scott in Catonsville (just North of Baltimore) this weekend. Scott was going to take Trey duck hunting in Delaware.
Scott and Trey got up at 3:40 AM to go hunting...here they are dressed in camo "duck hunting attire"
They returned around 1 PM to get ready to visit the Aquarium in Baltimore.

We also did a few other fun things, like eating lunch at Friendly's and making Ice Cream sundae's.......
going to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, where Trey watched the colorful marine life...
Kristen, Trey and Tiffany observed the birds in the Tropical Rainforest.....
Kristen, Tiffany and Aunt Molly made some yummy Chocolate Chip cookies ....



and Kristen (along with everyone else) had lots of fun with Dixie the grand-beagle!


It was very cold, and there was even a little snow blowing but it was a fun weekend with Kristen and Trey. Trey and Scott cooked a wonderful breakfast of "eggs in a bag" and gingerbread pancakes..yum yum!! And Kristen created some lovely cards in Tiff's craft room in the basement. Trey even made a few cards too. They both made special cards for their Mom....she will be so delighted!
Soon there will be an outing with Kenneth and Eric...so there's more fun coming up with the kids!!
The kids all send hugs and love to their Mom!!

(Written by Aunt Molly)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Pleased....

I saw Kristy last night and was very pleased with what I saw. I was actually able to talk to her without her falling asleep or having dialysis. One of the kidney drs. came in an told her she would start having dialysis every other day. She was excited about that. While I was there she got her shower, and I thought I would have to help her, but she did it all on her own. I was so proud of her. Kristy asked me what was wrong, and I replied there is nothing wrong. How can you talk about your life and what your doing while your sister is in the hospital trying to keep from dying? Wouldn't that upset her? I talked about good things, at least I tried to talk about good things...but I don't know. Well, anyways.....Kristy is slowing progressing and that is a good thing....she will be getting more stem cells from what she has told me...I just don't know when. Please everyone keeping praying for my sister, she still has a long road ahead of here.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Day 25 Update

Kristy has been holding her own fairly well. She is beginning to get a little bit of kidney function so this is a step in the right direction. She still receives dialysis almost daily and it is pretty tough on her, so it would be great for those kidneys to kick in.
Her WBC was .700 today and the doctors have scheduled a Bone Marrow biopsy on Thursday to see what the cells are doing. Hopefully, she is growing the donor cells, and just may need a few more to get her WBC up and running. This test will give the information the docs need to assess if she will need another transplant of cells, and time to schedule with the donor to obtain the marrow, so that it can be done promptly. It was described this way by Dr. McCarty: If you re-seed your lawn with 5 pounds of seed, and it needs 10 pounds, then it's good to get the balance of those seeds on the lawn quickly. So this is the latest plan!

She is still having a pretty rough time of it; terrible mouth and throat sores, but she still tries to drink and eat the things that they want her to ingest.

We sure appreciate your prayers for her and the children.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Update

In case yall are wondering...Kristy is progressing. I haven't seen her since Wednesday, but from what I hear, her WBC went up to 1700 as of 12pm yesterday afternoon. The cells from her bone marrow are starting to grow and the doctors are keeping a close eye on her because this will be the time graft versus host disease may kick in. I am praying this will not happen because Kristy has been through so much already. She is still on dialysis. Do not quote me on this but...the doctors are concerned that her kidneys have not functioned by themselves completely. I am going by what people have told me, and you know how word travels and things can get messed up. She is going through physical therapy, I don't know how often or how long, but I do know it wears her out and she has been sleeping alot. I text her or call her to leave a message on her cell to see how she is doing every now and then if I can't get to the hospital. She responds by text because it hurts her too much to talk. I will try to keep you posted as much as I can as I learn her progress. Kristy has a long road ahead of her for a full recovery....Please keep my sister in your prayers along with her family.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Day 20

Just a short post to say that Kristy is progressing....her WBC (white blood cell) count (those little guys that give you an immune system) is up to about 700 today so it is beginning to come up a little bit each day and this is good. She's been getting dialysis every day which is making her much better. It is so great to see her alert and responsive! She had us a little worried!!

Her attitude is so good....she just keeps going, trying to do what the doctors ask, even when she feels really puny. Her mouth, throat and pretty much all mucous membranes are pretty much completely raw.....I cannot imagine how painful it must be, but I know it's tough for her.
The nurses and staff continue to give her good care, although she does not have the aide 24/7 now, as she has improved. PT came today and got her to walk down the hall twice, so she can get some strength back.

All in all, she's fairing as well as could be hoped. The hope and prayer now is for the cells to engraft and bring the WBC up, and to avoid the graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), and I just know that this will happen, all in good time.
Many thanks for your prayers, cards and calls! The sentiments mean alot to her (we read the cards to her and she enjoys them alot) and to us.
People are so very good, and we are very grateful!

(posted by Molly 11/12/08)

Monday, November 10, 2008

Wonderful news!

We are so thankful this morning to see Karisa's latest post. Praise God! This is such good news and an answer to prayer. Kristy, rest all you can, follow the doctors' orders, and you will soon be relaxing at home. It sounds as though you have an excellent team of doctors and nurses in addition to the love and caring of family and friends. We have a lot of family and friends here that often inquire about you and are diligently praying for your speedy recovery. We hope you have a good day today and even better days ahead. God Bless You!
Love,
Brenda and G.L.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Getting Better by the day!


I saw Kristy yesterday and today....It's amazing how she has done a complete 180. When I came in yesterday, Kristy was sitting in her chair eating cheerios. She only ate a little bit because her mouth hurts so much from the sores. She also drank some water out of her bottle. The doctors came in around 12 and said her blood work was over 200 which is .2. They did dialysis again and the doctors had changed the tubing from her thigh area to her neck. She was more comfortable knowing she could lay on her side and not be so agitated. She feel into a deep sleep and she looked so peaceful. Before I left her room, her blood pressure was 114 over 74....which is good because that is how mine is most of the time. Today, before I came, she already had her dialysis, so I was able to talk to her a little bit. Her blood work now is 300 which is .3, so it's possible it will get higher in the next couple of days if the bone marrow has graft. After she had dialysis, she was able to go potty on the potty chair. Which is great! I had brought her cinammon applesause and she ate some of that too. She said she was so hungry but her mouth hurt so much to eat. While I was there, they hooked her up to an EKG machine. The nurse wanted to get the doctor to double check it and compare it to the prior EKG taken. While Kristy and I were waiting, she was falling asleep and she wanted me to keep talking to her so she wouldn't fall asleep. I told her it was ok for her to sleep and that she needed her rest. I covered her up and she finally fell asleep. I pulled down the shade a little bit to keep the sunlight out. I finally left knowing she was asleep and to give her sometime by herself before she had more visitors within the next few hours. As of now, I don't know when I will be able to visit Kristy again. I am hoping it will be Tuesday or Wednesday. Aunt Molly is coming back from SC and she will be at the hospital tomorrow. Now that Kristy is coheritant, her days may go faster if someone is with her every day to talk to her.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Heartfelt Moment

I went to visit Kristy today around 1pm. She was in the process of dialysis. She seemed restless, but who wouldn't be if you were confined to a bed. There was an order put in her chart for her to have restraints during dialysis only because she wanted to turn constantly. I talked to Kristy about Eric and Lia's Holloween trip friday night and how Lia attacked the Michael Myers look-a- like with her bag of candy. I talked about some of our childhood memories and I also told her she had to lie still and stop being so stubborn. Gee, I wonder where she gets that from....I also told her when she gets better we can start having a girls night out and do what sisters are supposed to do. I look back at all my childhood memories with Kristy and realized I liked to follow her around alot and follow in her footsteps. I always eavesdropped on her phone calls ....what little sister wouldn't do that? I also played the saxaphone just like her....I admired her so much and I still do. Now I realize that I am buying the funky little socks she wears for myself. She must be doing something right...I didn't realize how much I loved my sister until something like this happens....Wow..What a way to wake up someone....I was sitting in the room and holding Kristy's hand remembering the time I was in the hospital with her while she was in labor with her first born. It's funny how you can remember things like that when they have been so easily forgotten. Well, since I have embarrassed myself in front of complete strangers....If anyone would like to help Kristy or her children in anyway such as food, please visit this website http://www.angelfoodministries.com/. Kristy was looking into ordering food from this organization before she went into the hospital for her children. I don't know if she was able to or not. God Bless!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Day 11 update

I sure wish I could say that Kristy was better, but she is really struggling. Most days she sleeps, sometimes fitfully and sometimes peacefully. They say this is the best thing for her while they try to get her electrolites and blood levels corrected. They should start dialysis every day now (as opposed to every other day), and that will make her better. The doctors and nurses seem pleased with her progress so this is a good thing. It's just very hard to see her so very sick and able to do nothing to really help her. Despite the fact that you know up front, going into a Bone Marrow Transplant that the patient will be deathly ill, you're still not quite prepared for the life struggle that they must go through.

It is humbling to see the BMT patients on the wing with Kristy as they fight their individual battles for survival. What a tremendous reminder to count your blessings every day. (Copied from Molly's blog today)

Many, many thanks to all of you who have sent cards, left greetings, called and just been so supportive.
Big thanks to Chris' Grannie Barbara who is staying at their house with the children. She's spunky and organized and a great granny....has the kids in a good routine and the house is spotless. Kristy would be so happy to know this and that the kids are doing well. Eric and Trey spent the weekend with KK and Allen and Karisa took them Trick or Treating on Friday night, so they had a good weekend. Many things to be gratedful for!

(Posted by Molly 11-3-2008)

Today was about the same as yesterday

Molly stayed with Kristy today so I'll let her type up a blog about today. We didn't go to MCV tonight to let Kristy rest. Thank you all for prayers and comments I know Kristy will want to respond to each of you when she is able.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Today was a hard day to be with Kristy

Some days you remember more than others and I think this is one. I talked with Richard, her nurse, before seeing her. Richard explained alot of things to me and I understood what he meant and why. Some of Kristy's number are too high and some of her numbers are too low in her kidney results. She was not very responsive today, but in another way she seemed stronger. Kristy and I have spent a lot of time together over the last year. We have cried together, laughed together and sometimes knew what the other ment without completing the sentence. I miss those times very much right now. I undersood her today, but they were only mumble yes and no answers. Only if you knew what she was thinking could you figure it out. I decorated her room for fall. She is missing all the seasons. I asked her if she would like ice chips and I knew when she said yes and I knew when she said no for no more. She liked having her mouth cleaned out and she let me know when it was enough and not to do anymore. Today she did squeeze my hand once or twice, but it is hard to leave her when you feel like you should stay and do more. Tomorrow Molly will stay with her and I will try to go back tomorrow night for awhile. If any of you could spare a few hours on weekends to stay with Kristy we would really appreciate it. We have been taping the cards that she has received upon her wall and we are asking you to write a small message in a composition notebook as to what time you came and the date. This is so that she can read it later. Thank you for all the prayers and support that you are sending her way.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Kristy has gone a little downhill

Well as you know from my last post, Kristy has been doing really good. But her numbers climbed higher than they had been so they are bringing the dialysis machine back in. She opens her eyes to yes to your voice and can respond in hmms and umums. So you can tell if she likes it or not. Her head has been shaved now as her hair has started falling out again. Her skin is so soft. She's likes laying on her left side the best and you can't put the cuff on her left arm because she has had problems with that one since February when the IV went out into her hand. She is very sick. I'm not go to say she isn't. I am going to decorate her room for fall and Thanksgiving as she loves to see the decorations when she is alert. Please keep sending cards and comments to her, because she will enjoy reading them when she is better. She can hear us when we are talking to her and so I guess that is where I learned to talk to myself. Allen is sleeping in the chair and Kristy is sleeping in her bed and seems less agitated now. She doesn't like laying on her back. Eric went Trick or Treating with Lia and Karisa and Molly last night. Now Molly took him out and I think he and Trey are coming back to spent the night with us and probably ride their pony and horse. So I will close now and we will be leaving shortly so that she can get some rest. Please say a prayer for Kristy today and everyday. I ask the Lord to watch over her and to ease her pain everyday. I would ask that each of you ask that to. I know I haven't return any phone calls lately but there are other issues that I am having to deal with right now. I ask all you to say a prayer for my family as more trying times are yet too come. When you have other children they sometimes feel forgotten when one is as sick as Kristy, but please pray for my daughter and her family in Texas. They need your prayers very much right now just to get thru each day and months to come. I keep asking the Lord to lighten my load, but I guess He just doesn't think I need it yet. So for any of you that are having troubled times right now, "May the Lord bless and keep you in his loving grace until we cross the rainbow bridge" and beyond.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Dialysis is an awesome filter

Kristy had the portable dialysis machine in her room early today along with the portable dialysis nurse, a very nice nurse named Billy. He carefully attached the "in and out" tubes to her and the machine, which purred to life with a huge pump and a fine filter, looking very much like the one we use on our motor home (imagine that! :) ). Immediately, the red blood flowed out of her, through the filter for cleansing, into the machine and then the clean blood flowed back in to her. Billy was very good at explaining the process and he stayed by her side, monitoring her the entire four hours of the dialysis. It was comforting to see him stay and monitor her so closely. They removed four liters of fluid from her yesterday and four more liters today. Billy indicated this amount is in the "moderately high" category. Her color was much better after the awesome dialysis machine did it's work. What a wonderful, life saving device this invention is!!

In addition, a personal care partner/sitter was assigned to Kristy-- Dianna who is studying to be an oncology nurse. Dianna will be a wonderful nurse....she was terrific with Kristy. She was also by Kristy's side all day, except for a brief lunch break, during which she was relieved by Robin. Her duty nurse, Lisa, was in and out constantly as well as the Leukemia doctor and his team of five and the Nephrology doctor and resident. She has been well attended and cared for!! For this, we are very grateful.

I arrived in Ashland about 8 PM last night and stayed at KK's house, then headed for the hospital early this morning and spent the day here with Kristy. (KK is very tired and truly needs some rest, so hopefully she can get a little break now) She is indeed, very sick, but she is a fighter and they have got great things going on for her, so I know she will be much better tomorrow. Dr. Chung, (lead Chemo Dr) was pleased with the way she looked today and saw improvement over yesterday.

So ya'll keeps those prayers coming and thanks so much for your encouragement, we are all grateful!!

(Posted by Molly 10/30/08 4:30 PM)

Things Are A Little Better

Well I didn't get to post last night as I fell asleep. Kristy got fluid on her lungs and that was causing the pain her rib cage and chest areas. They had given her lasix and it had pulled too much fluid and with all the meds she had been getting her kidneys had shut down. They think this is a temporary measure and that everything should get better. She was doing a little better when I left. Her husband, Chris, was with her when I left and Molly(my sister)is with her today. Molly said she is talking and answering questions. She should show more improvement today. Either Molly or I will post a new blog this afternoon or this evening. Please keep praying for Kristy; it is very hard right now on all of us.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Things Went from Good To Worse

Well I didn't leave any news yesterday so I will try to update now. Kristy called me at 6 am yesterday and asked me to come over. So I got there about 8 and she was in a lot of pain. The pain was mainly in her left chest and back and lower down. They did 2 ex rays and the doctors couldn't see anything wrong to be causing the pain she was having. Then she wasn't putting out any urine. This was getting serious. I helped her get a shower and that seemed to help her feel a little better but the pain was the same if not worse. The Docs had ordered a ultrasound for her kidneys. I left at 6 and she seemed a little better. I took the day off and came today and stayed with her. They said her kidneys were not putting out anything and she would have to be put on dialysis machine. That was before lunch. It is now 3:15 and they put in another port and brought in the dialysis machine. So I guess they will start that soon. They said she also had some fluid in her lungs and this should help that too. I am sitting here watching her and she is very restless and isn't responding too well. All of this should improve after the blood cleaning. Well they are here now to do that so I will let you know more later.

Monday, October 27, 2008

The Third Day is a Bad Day for BMT

I talked to Chris(Kristy's husband)he is at the hospital with her today. The nurse had said that the 3rd day would be worse than the first 2 days and now we know what she means. Chris said that Kristy lip is swollen, her throat my be swollen, and that her chest hurts and she is sick in her stomach. They did an EKG and her heart is okay. Kristy has had to have a IV drip for a bunny rabbit virus. So if any of you have bunny rabbits remember this. If they pee on you it causes a virus to remain hidden in you. (Kristy had a dwarf bunny years ago) And when your immunity gets down the bunny rabbit virus comes out and causes problems. So they have to treat or prevent this virus from being a problem. So she can't eat or swallow very well right now, but in the next couple of days this should be better. They have been given her morphine for pain and she has reactions to morphine so they have to put her on another one that is comparable. So right now she is very miserable. But the doctors and nurses say she is doing as is expected. Just keep praying for her. I will update tonight after I get home from seeing her.
Prayer in Time of Trouble
Lord, in every need let me come to You with humble trust saying, "Jesus, help me."
In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations, Jesus, help me.
In hours of loneliness, weariness, and trials, Jesus, help me.
In the failure of my plans and hopes, in disappointment, troubles, and sorrows, Jesus help me.
When others fail me and Your grace alone can assist me, help me.
When I throw myself on Your tender love as a Father and Savior, Jesus help me.
When my heart is cast down by failure at seeing no good come from my efforst, Jesus help me.
When I feel impatient and my cross irritates, mc, Jesus, help me.
When I am ill and my head and hands cannot work and I am lonely, Jesus help me.
Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls, and shortcomings of every kind, Jesus, help me and never forsake me.
Amen

When Our Burdens Get Too Heavy

Sometimes our burdens just seem too much and you think you can't handle anymore, but I look and think of Kristy and my burden is small compared to hers. I didn't go see Kristy yesterday (Sunday), Allen went to see her. He said she is doing really great. Her mouth and throat are sore, but she is doing good. The nurses keep a close check on her, but they are very pleased with the way she is doing. I'll go over there after work today and will talk to her later this morning. She has been having alot of pain in her left arm. When is she was on the 6th floor at Masey Cancer Center in February her IV leaked out into her left hand so she has lost a lot of use and feeling in it. Everytime she gets chemo or fluids her arm hurts so they have to give her pain meds for that and it gets her a little sleepy. Then when she went to ICU right after the IV leaked out they put restraints on her arm and it was where the IV was and now she has a scar there that just never looks quit right. Now she needs the motivation to start moving around and keep her muscles strong. She gets up and showers by herself without help, but usually someone is in her room just in case she gets light headed. She is still getting fluids and lasix to take the fluid off because she swells up from the fluids. I will post more after I talk to her today and go see her.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

About visiting Kristy...

We've heard from several people that they thought Kristy could not have visitors so we thought maybe that should be cleared up a little.
Visitors are welcome and Kristy LOVES to see and visit with people....she's too weak right now to type or listen to her phone messages..she does read some email and the blog, and she looks at her phone list to see who calls, so she knows if you call. When she feels up to it, she listens to the messages.

Here are the visitor guidelines for Kristy on the Bone Marrow Transplant unit:

  • If you are sick (in any way), please don't come to the BMT unit
  • When you arrive you will don a pretty blue "gown" to wear for your visit; it goes in the trash when you leave
  • You can bring balloons, books, magazines, etc if they are new (candy, etc in unopened packages are fine(each piece of candy has to be individually wrapped inside the bag); the children enjoy them, even if Kristy can't :))
  • Please, NO flowers, fruits, veggies can be brought in the room
  • Fighting the possibility of infection is the main goal, so keep that in mind. If in doubt, you can ask the nurses.
  • Please limit visits to 15 minutes
  • Remember to bring your parking ticket into the main info desk for "stamping" so you may park for $2.00
  • She enjoys visitors IMMENSELY, so please feel free to come see her
  • If you need directions to MCV or about the parking etc, please call KK, Ray or Molly (if you need our numbers, just leave us a comment and we'll call you!)

Your kindness, care, concern and prayers are truly appreciated! Please keep those prayers coming!

Big hugs to everyone!

(Posted by Molly 10/26/08)

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Thank you, Lord Jesus

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being with Kristy and her family, Kathryn and her family, and for all of the nurses and doctors that are attending Kristy. Lord, I just pray that you will continue to bless them and comfort them as Kristy goes through this part of her life. I pray that God will be glorified in everything that is done, no matter how great or small, to God Be The Glory. Amen.

With Kristy at MCV

Just thought I would let everyone know that Kristy is doing very well. Last night was really rough but today they are keeping a good watch on her and giving her meds as needed and she looks good and talks good. They kept a good eye on her last night too. She had a shower earlier and is napping right now. She is really tired but that is to be expected. She gets up and walks around and is eating good. The doctors say she is doing really good. Her nurses have been really great and all the people that we have met here have been so helpful. Her friend Judy Jamison came by yesterday and sat with us a while. She is such a nice person and Kristy really thinks alot of her. She brought Kristy a orange and black blanket and pillow that the Varina Ruritan Club and the Bits & Pieces Quilt Club had made. That was so thoughtful of her and all of the women and clubs that make these for the people with serious illnesses. Her blood pressure is down now and her oxygen is fine. They have given her platelets and they may do that again tonight. Will update tomorrow I think I need to go home. Kristy has been napping and her supper will be here shortly. I wish you all could see her and talk to her. She never complains and is always greatly appreciative for everything that anyone does for her. As soon as she is not so tired I will get her to post her own blog. But I will say that all the prayers and thoughts have been so overwhelmingly helpful. You have no idea how hard it is sometimes to keep thinking positive and not turn away from good thoughts. You really want to blame somebody for this, but there isn't anyone. It is just something that happened and it can happen to anyone from age 2 months to 60 years.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Stem cells going in....

Just a little update....talked to KK a little while ago and they received the donor cells and started the transplant around noon today. They were on the second bag around 3:00 and Kristy was doing very well. As of 7 PM there hasn't been any updates, but perhaps KK will bring us up to date tonight.

So this is all good and within two weeks she should get good, healthy cells growing!!!

Many thanks to everyone for your prayers and concern!!

Posted by Molly 10/24/2008

Love and prayers coming your way!

Kristy - just wanted you to know G.L. and I have had you and your entire family in our hearts and prayers for months. I really loved seeing all the pictures on this site. You have a beautiful family.



We have friends also praying for you who always inquire about how you're doing. Hope you've had a good day--we're still praying!



Love,

Brenda

Phil. 4:13

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Bone Marrow Cancelled Until Tomorrow

I went to see Kristy today as she was getting a little nervous. Last night she wasn't up to company since all she wanted to do was sleep. By the time I got there the parking deck was full so I went to the valet for the North Building and waited until they had room for me to pull in. You can go in on the ground floor that way and take the elevator on up to the 10th floor. Today I almost had express. Whee!! I go and get my gown. (O the yellow ones are the best. They are cooler)And get my gloves and open the door and she tells me they just told her it had been cancelled until tomorrow. I felt so deflated and I think she did too. So I stayed long enough to straighten up her room and while she was getting her shower the bone marrow transplant team came in to see her. So I got to talk to the Doctor. A very nice gentleman. He said the cells would not be in until this afternoon and they would have to make sure there were enough and that everything matched. I asked him about Kristy in comparsion to other patients as to everything that was happening. He reassured me that Kristy was doing just fine and was right were she was supposed to be. He said sometime one person may take a little longer, but that everything was fine. Kristy is feeling better today, but her stomach was still a little queasy and she is very tired. So I am back at work now and I may not be able to go tomorrow as Friday is a little busy. But we are almost there. Just please keep praying for her. Just ask God to keep an eye on her and let him know how much she is needed here. Eric really misses his mother. He wishes that she hadn't swallow that old bug so that she could come home. His bus driver is out sick too so I understand he has been misbehaving on the bus. So I guess we had better say a pray for him that he quietens down a little.

Just a little more info. Molly will be coming by train to Ashland from Elkhart Indiana to help with Kristy and the little ones. So maybe we can give grandma Barbara a break between us. This blog was set up by Molly in Elkhart RVing and get a few things done to the RV. She had planned on being back before Kristy went in on the 17th but things got slowed up on her end. She had already set their RVing back because our Mother had past away on Sept 8th. So Molly come on home we really need you. You have a way of livening things up with all the energy you have.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Today is not a good day

Yesterday I went and visited Kristy after work. Since they have started the chemo she has been more tired and they give her benadryl to help with side affects so she sleeps more. Her stomach is also upset so she spends alot of time in the bathroom. They have been taking her vitals more often too. Her blood pressure was up last night so they are keeping an eye on that. Her last round of chemo was to stop early this morning. We have been text messaging since I am at work and I haven't been getting answers back as quickly as usual. They have put her on oxygen. Usually that is from the chemo and benadryl making her blood pressure go up, her heart rate will increase and the oxygen helps make her more comfortable. This should all settle down shortly. The nurses are very good about looking in on her. The one thing about Kristy is that she doesn't want to ask for anything. She thinks she is a bother. When I'm there we don't talk alot. Of course for those of you that know me, I talk enough for two people. I know her throat hurts and I just try to make sure she doesn't need anything, and I take her clothes home to wash. There are so many things she can not have: chocolate, flowers, pepper, spicey foods. She sold her motorcycle, gave away her rats to Hanover County Pound, and I have her dog and cat. Of course she does not drive anymore so that means she doesn't have her job as a Hanover County School Bus driver. She will not be able to come to my house or any place with animals for 18 months. I believe she told me that she couldn't go out in public for 8 months. I couldn't go to the last bone marrow meeting as I had broncitus and couldn't go near her so I missed things that were told. One thing chemo affects is her memory. She doesn't remember if she has told me something or not.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

January until Present Time

Since January 31, 2008, all of our lives have been turned upside down. How could a young and outgoing person like Kristy have ALL? I remember thinking just a couple of weeks before she got sick, that our family had been so fortunate not to have any major illnesses . I would listen to the St. Jude children and my heart would break for the parents and the children. It was more than I could listen to. Never did I think that I would be one of those parents, just to an older child.
We were told that Kristy probably had this since childhood and something made it come out. Kristy was never a sickly child. She loved to swing and swing she did, non stop. Her Grandma Kirby would stand out there and push her and she never seemed to get tired of doing it.

And three wheeler! She and her cousin rode those three wheels so hard. She would leave in the morning and she would come back either riding or pushing. Now at 35 she tells me all the "little accidents" that she didn't tell me then.
Then it was horses. I had a palomino that Kristy was scared to ride so I went out and found one that she could ride. She got on Poco the very first day and took off up the road on that horse and from there it was no stopping. She started riding the palomino, Samantha, in speed events and Poco in western pleasure. She and her sister, Kay Ellen, would ride during the day and then I would ride with one or the other in the evenings and on weekends. Those horses were so muscled up that even the vet couldn't believe how great they looked. She washed those horses every weekend, rode at the local horse shows, and participated in 4-H.

Then she got married and started having children she quit riding and gave up three wheeling.

Last year 2007 she finally had gotten her life all together. All the children were in school and she started driving a Hanover County School Bus. She loved those kids on her bus and really worried about them. She had gotten a motorcycle and loved to ride just to get out and feel the freedom it gave.
Then she got sick with ALL. She almost died the 2nd day at MCV. It went from her arm into her lungs. She went to the trauma ICU and then to the respiratory ICU. She stayed almost a week there and then went back to the 6th floor in Massey Cancer Center. She stayed about another week and then went home. She went back in a week and started chemo. She went in on a Friday and by Sunday she had crashed again and was rushed to the CCU. Then she went to respiratory ICU. For about 9 days she was kept unconsicous and then they started bringing her back. Later they told us that they didn't think she would come out of ICU alive. By this time she had lost most of her long curly auburn hair.(She had cut it short before she went back for the chemo)She had curls around her face and in the back. She never lost it all. So home she went unable to walk or have full use of her arms and hands. She crawled to the couch once we got her up the steps and then we swung her legs up so that she could lay down.So we thought we would have a little break. Then her gall bladder decided it wasn't happy anymore. So to the emergency we went. This was on a Thursday and they didn't operate until Monday. Something about it being a weekend and the doctors would have to take emergencies that came in over the weekend. I thought she was an emergency. Well she had a whole weekend of no food and a lot of pain. By Monday her gall bladder was so inflamed that either they damaged a duct from the liver to gall bladder or it made it all by itself because it was so bad they had to call in the liver transplant surgeon to fix it.. Her one hour surgery turned into 6 hours. She ended up with an incision from her sterum to her right side.
So she had 6-8 weeks of recovery before they could start the chemo again and start planning the bone marrow transplant. The doctors did their part, but there is not enough help on the 6th floor. If we as a family had not stayed and helped her get showers, help get her food containers open, change her bedding and clean her up after accidents she would have been in a lot worse shape. Then she had visits to the Dalton clinic for fluids and blood as needed. They had trouble getting a spinal tap so they put an Omaya Reservoir in her head under the skin. So they used that for putting chemo in her spine and withdrawing spinal fluid to check it for ALL. The hickman in her chest had gotten infected so they put a pickline in her arm with 2 ports. They just took that out last week and have installed a hickman and another port under the skin on her right chest.
And that pretty much brings us up to date and this is where her bone marrow transplant starts when she entered the hospital on the 17th.
(This post written by Kristy's Mom, Kathryn or "K K")

Monday, October 20, 2008

Transplant in three days.....

Kristy was admitted to MCV on Friday Oct 17th to begin the radiation and chemotherapy for the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT for short). The schedule is supposed to be two days of complete body radiation, followed by three days of chemotherapy. This will kill all of the living bone marrow cells. Then, she has one day of "rest" and the donor cells are transplanted and the waiting begins.Maybe a simple explanation of the BMT is in order: When functioning properly, the good cells multiply normally and create healthy red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells. With Lymphocytic Leukemia, the cells cease to create normal blood cells and instead create "maverick" cells, that will not do their normal jobs. Think of your bone marrow cells as your lawn; you want only good Fescue seeds to have a lush green healthy lawn, but, those old Crab Grass weeds get in there and mess up your nice green grass. In order to have that healthy green lawn, you've got to use some heavy duty "weed-killer" and kill off all of the seeds, good and bad, then replant with new, healthy Fescue seeds, which will take root and grow lush, new green grass.The Fescue seeds would be the good marrow cells and the Crabgrass will be the Leukemia cells. For a BMT to take place, you must first kill off all the cells (seeds), with Chemo and radiation (weedkiller) in order to transpant new, healthy, donor cells (Fescue seeds). You may go here http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=5965 to learn more about Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplants.So the radiation and chemo will kill her marrow cells, until the BMT takes place. There will be no immune system until the donated marrow takes "root" and begins to grow in her bones, so she will be highly susceptible to every type of infection and fungus imaginable (and some that are not imaginable!) For this reason, Kristy will remain in a sterile environment on the Tranplant floor at MCV and has many restrictions on her activities and visitors. "Nutropenic" is the name given to this fragile, immuno-compromised condition.She can't be near any fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, flowers or plants; no animals, dirty dishes, dirty laundry. Of course, if you have the least bit of a cold or sniffles, you can't see her. This is a "simplified" version of the BMT, but hopefully you understand how it takes place.On the day of the transplant, the donor cells are dripped into her Hickman port ( a semi-permanent, direct, intra-veneous line). This is known as Day Zero. The next day is Day One (post-transplant), and so on. The goal is Day 100....usually known as the day you are most likely "home-free"; in between she will battle the constant chills, nausea and diarrhea that accompany the chemo and meds, given to both shore up and suppress her immuno-system; to help it grow, yet keep it from fighting the new donor cells ( a condition known as "Graft Versus Host Disease" GVHD)Hopefully, her hospital stay will be something like a month or so, depending upon how her body tolerates it's new BMT cells. Then, she must return to the hospital every day, seven days a week, for the blood tests which continually monitor how her cells are both attempting to grow their own, new marrow and healthy cells, and to watch for any sign of GVHD, so the immuno-suppression can be carefully balanced. It is, indeed, a precarious balancing act.
(This post written by Kristy's Aunt Molly)